Automatic recording stadia instrument



Sept. 7, 1948. D. H. DRAYER 2,448,965

AUTOMATIC RECORDING STABIA INSTRUMENT Filed sept. 9, 1943r 4 sheets-sheet 1 Sept- 7, 1948. D. H. DRAYER 2,448,965

AUTOMATIC RECORDING STABIA INSTRUMENT Filed' sept. 9, 194s 4 sheets-sheet 2 E n. :1. 5 A. En. q. E Q34 I 16a. 3 da Sept. 7, 1948. D. H. DRAYER AUTOMATIC RECORDING STABIA INSTRUMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 9, 1945 lllllllll llll sept' 7, 1948- D. H. DRAYER 2,448,965

AUTOMATIC RECORDING STADIA INSTRUMENT 4 Sheets-Shee'l'I 4 Filed Sept. 9, 1943 rqa Hmm

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Patented 14948 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFflcE AUTOMATIC RECORDING STABIA INSTRUMENT Donald H. Drayer, Brookmont, Md.

Application September 9, 1943, Serial No. 501,705

18 Claims. 1

My invention relates to the art of mapping and more particularly to the mapping of hydrographie or geographic features by means of a plane table and stadia instrument, which employs movable stadia hairs to determine distance.

Heretofore it has been suggested that the distance between the stadia hairs bears a definite relationship to the distance from the point of observation to the object observed and to the distance between the points on the object in line with the lines of sight from the stadia hairs through the instrument. However, in all prior art arrangements, of which I am aware and in which movable stadia hairs are used, it is necessary to use a horizontal stadia rod or other means of correcting for angular views of an otherwise vertical stadia, and among other objections to known arrangements, no means are provided to record numerically the elevation of the object viewed.

The conventional method of mapping by plane table is to set up the table in the field over a reference point of known elevation and use an instrument provided with a ilat straight edged base which rests directly on the mapping surface. A reference point is established on the mapto correspond to the point on the ground and the direction to any point in the ileld may be established on a line parallel to the straightedge base oi the instrument when it is directed at the point in the eld. The optical portion of the conventional instrument is designed to rock about a horizontal axis and is provided with a scale for reading the vertical angle of the instrument with respect to the horizontal. The instrument is also provided with a pair of xed horizontal stadia hairs which are usually spaced a predetermined distance apart in order that the length of stadia rod viewed between the hairs, called the intercept, at one hundred feet will be one foot.

It is common practice to provide one member of the surveying party, known as the recorder, who writes in a field book the reading of the intercept. From tables, usually provided, he determines the true distance to the rod by correcting for the angular view or foreshortening of the rod if the view is other than horizontal. If the markings on the rod are not already compensated for a value known as f-l-c, this value is added to the true distance and by use of trigonometry he then determines the horizontal and vertical projections of the true distance. The horizontal. distance is scaled upon the map from the reference point and the vertical projection is added to the height of the instrument to determine the elevation of the point in the field which is written on the map near the point lust established.

It can readily be seen that in addition to taking valuable time, during which the remainder of the surveying party is usually idle, this method allows numerous opportunities forlerror and if all such calculations could be automatically and instantly calculated and recordeddirectly on the map for any common scale, considerable time would be saved and a higher degree of accuracy obtained.

With this end in View, after considerable research and experimentation, I have developed an instrument which possesses all of the desirable aforementioned features. By means of my improved arrangements, greater range and accuracy is possible with less eye strain since by using movable stadia hairs, a plain stadia rod may be employed which carries two xed clearly dened targets and instead of counting small and minute spaces on the stadia rod, it is only necessary to bring the movable stadia hairs in line with the targets. In addition, the present invention is readily applicable to hydrographie mapping for which purpose the elevation calculating and recording mechanism is adjusted to print consecutive` numbers.

It is now the practice of hydrographie surveyors to equip a boat with a recording supersonic sounding device and employ a draftsman on the boat to plot the course of the boat from periodic readings taken simultaneously by two persons with sextants directed on two separated shore stations. These readings being timed with markings on the graph of the supersonic recorder provide means for correlating the recordings on the graph with the plotted course of the boat.

The use of the instrument of the present invention will permit one person, instead of three, to plot the course of the boat from a shore station where the plotting board would be much steadier than possible on board a boat. Consecutive numbers would be plotted on the map periodically each time the operator would bring the stadia on the boat in the line of sight with the stadia hairs of the instrument. With the printing of each number, an electrical impulse would be initiated, with proper apparatus, to transmit a tuned radio signal which would be received at the boat and by means of suitable relays to print on the graph of the sounding instrument numbers identical with those plotted on the map at the shore station.

In general, this invention, in its preferred form,

'said levers to which stadia hairs are attached;

an elevation calculating device consisting of extendable threaded telescopic cylinders coupled with a multi-ratio transmission combined to move along said track beneath lthe optical portion of the instrument; and a4 counting and printing mechanism suitably connected to said transmission to record functions of the extension of said elevation., calculating device.

Broadly, it is the object of my invention to provide a mapping instrument whi-ch when ,directed at an object of xed known dimension such as a. rod carrying two xed targets and adjustments are made on the instrument to bring movable stadia hairs into line of sight with the object or two fixed targets, the azimuth, distance from the point of observation and elevation of the object or spot upon which the rod rests are directly l readable from suitable scales associated with the instrument or automatically -plotted upon the map upon which the instrument may rest.

It is further the object of my invention to provide a stadia instrument having" means to register measurementsto scale oi the vhorizontal distance from the observer to a'distant vertical stadia rod and automatically correct those measurements for .the foreshortened angular view of therod. v Also, it is the object of my` invention to provide a stadia instrument having means to 'automatically correct, both the horizontal scaled measurement and the numerical elevation registered for a distant geographic feature, for the value-known as ,f-l-c.

Another object of my invention is to provide an instrument having lmeans to register and record numerically for any of several scales of -maps, the elevation of a distant geographic location.

In addition, it is the object of my invention to provide an instrument having an improved means for moving the stadia hairs to register scaled distances to objects viewed in connection .with a stadia rod, wherein the means so provided may be closely associated with the optical portion of the instrument and be combined therewith in a dustproof enclosure. Y

Another object of my invention is to provide an automatic registering 'and recording stadia instrument having means whereby the operational adjustments required to register distance, azimuth and elevation of a distant object may be made by the operator simultaneously.

It is also the objectY of my invention to provide a simplified means of hydrographie mapping wherein meansy will be provided to map from a shore'station, or axed point, directly on the map either the true depth which is positioned to correspond to the location of the spot where the sounding is being made or correlated numbers which are registered simultaneously on the map and on the graph of the supersonic recording device aboard the sounding boat, such numbers on the map being located to correspond to the location of the boatlat the time of the recording.

Further, it is the object of .my invention to provide a fraction discarding mechanism for 9,448,965 y 'a J counting devices which is adapted for use with the present invention. f A still further object of my invention to provide a universal type of target for a stadia rod for use with instruments having movable stadia hairs which will give equal readings from any angle likely to be encountered.

With these and other objects in view which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions vand arrangements Without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. Specically, though shown herein combined with an optical instrument of the verecting type, this invention may easily be adapted to any oi the optical instruments used for surveying. `The application of the invention -may also take any -of several forms, one preferred form of embodiment of which with two modified arrangements are hereinafter described with reference yto the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan viewof the instrument with the outer casing shown in section to reveal interior parts.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the instrument showing by dotted lines certain interior levers.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the instrument looking from the front toward the eye 35 piece with the main optical part and the elevation recording mechanism of the instrument shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the portion of the instrument containing the stationary and movable hairs.

Fig.' 5 is an isometric view of one of two stub shafts With rectangular slides shown by dotted lines.

Fig. 5A is a sectional detailed view of an axisoffsetting mechanism. s

Fig. 6 is an isometric View showing the bracket l holders for the movable stadia hairs with a portion of the levers to which they are attached and 50 a holder for the stationary vertical cross-hair.

Fig. 7 is a cross section view through the center of the base of the instrument showing the centering device in section. p Fig. 7A indicates a plan view of the centering device.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the instrument.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modified arrangement of the instrument.

Fig. 10 is a section through the optical portion of a second modified arrangement of the instrument showing the movable stadia hairs and their holders in elevation.

Fig. 11 indicates in side elevational view and section a detail of Fig. l0.

Fig. 12 is a partial plan section of the instrument of Figure 10, taken immediately below the optical portion to show the levers and rollers which operate the movable vertical stadia hairs.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of a detail of the supporting bracket to be used with the modication represented by Figure 9 with the action shown by dotted lines.

Fig. 14 is `a partial section through the optical portion of the modiiication represented by Figure 9 with a vertical cross section taken through the part shown in detail in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is an elevation of a circular T headed universal stadia rod. f

Fig. 16 is a partial vertical cross section through the center of the base of the counting and recording mechanism showing certain parts in elevation.

Fig. 16A is a partial plan view of the underside of the 'multi-ratio crown gear.

Fig. 17 is a transverse vertical'section through the base of the counting and recording mechanism to the right of center.

Fig. 18 is a transverse vertical section through the base of the counting and recording mechanism to the left of center and looking to the right in Figures 2 and 16.

Fig. 19 is an elevational detail of the left bearing for the counting and printing mechanism.

Fig. 2O is a part elevational and part sectional detail view of the counting and printing mechanism.

Fig. 2l is a detail of the right hand bearing for the counting and printing mechanism with radio relay switch.

Fig. 22 is a detail elevational view of the reference symbol printing wheel with selector mechanism.

Fig. 23 is a detail elevational view 4of the interior of a typical counting dial and tens carrying mechanism. v

Fig. 24 is a detail elevational view of the fractions discarding mechanism, and the dead center eliminator. v

Fig. 24A is a detail elevational view of the selector mechanism for printing consecutive nurnbers with the counting dials.`

DESCRIPTION OPTICAL PORTION An outer casing (I) of metal or composition provides a cover for the working parts of the optical portion of the instrument. A smaller casing 2 provides an eye piece 3 and supports one end of a small metal cylinder 4 which holds four lenses. An intermediate sized cylinder 5 carries the adjustable stationary cross hairs. A largey 'metal cylinder 6 contains a similar cylinder I which carries the object lens 'lb and is movable along the axis of the instrument to effect the proper focus. This focusing is accomplished by turning knob 35 attached to shaft 36 which turns pinion 3l which acts against a rack formed on one edge of a notch 'Ia (shown in dotted projection Fig. l) cut in cylinder l. The opposite side of notch 1a is smooth and bent downward to ride against shoulder 38 on the end of shaft 36. The rack, being of sufficient length, permits cylinder 'I to be advanced far enough to allow the cleaning of the object lens 1b.

Outer cylinder B is secured to the outer casing (I) by two lines of tap screws 9. The bottom of the casing I is made dstproof by plate I secured by screws II to outer cylinder 6 and two strips of plush fabric I2 attached to plate I0 form a dust stop on either side of movable forked bracket 58.

Two pins I3 and I4-are adjustably connected to two slotted rings I3b and I4b'on which the instrument may be rocked and/or oifset the horizontal axis of the instrument with respect to the vertical aXis by a predetermined amount. offset is accomplished by turning dials I8 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5A) provided with an index which indi- This cates on suitable graduations on part I1, the amount of the offset. Part I1 is secured to ring I4b with screws ISb and a hole in part I1 provides a bearing for dial I8. Pinion Isa attached to dial I8, when turned clockwise meshes with and acts against rack I4a provided with teeth engagingvwith those ofr the upper shank of pin I4 to move the body of the optical portion of the instrument forward with respect to the supports I6. Onthe opposite side of the instrument but not shown, a similar dial I8 is arranged to operate with a similar pinion and a rack provided on the shank of pin I3 to offset both axis pins I3 and I4 a like amount. pins I3 and I4 are provided with top and bottom plane surfaces parallel to the optical axis of the instrument and are arranged to slide in slots provided in rings I3b and I4b. Thus the offset effected by turning dials I8 is limited to the direction of the optical axis of the instrument. The slotted rings I3b and I4b turn in the split rings I6a which are formed as the upper portion of two circular supporting posts IB tied together by rod 20 (Fig. 3). The posts I6 t into two cylindrical supports 2| the upper portions of which are split and are clamped tightly to the post by the tightening down of tapered ferrules 22. The top of each split ring I6a terminates in two tapered threaded segments which clamp together on rings I 3b and I4b by the tightening down of taper threaded screw caps 34 securing the instrument from rocking on its horizontal axis. Arm II the end of which is provided with a Vernier scale to be used with protractor I9 for reading Vertical angles is attached by screws I8b to ring Hb and rocks with the instrument. A washer I5 serves to eliminate side movement of the instrument on the horizontal axis.

The supporting cylinders 2l with their corresponding braces 2 Ia are attached to circular base plate 23 whose outer circumference is marked to form a protractor. The track 24 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 is formed in two parts which unite at the base plate 23 and are tied together at the opposite end by strap 24a. On the base of the track each section is provided with a raised ridge which bears on the surface of the map. When `the instrument is used to measure azimuth, a short segment of a circular ring 25 used as a Vernier index is provided with three downward pending pin pointed screws 25a which secure it to the plane table in meridional position.

A centering device 26 (Fig. 7) which secures the vertical axis of the instrument to the plane table, is provided with yan upturned flange which is designed to t into an opening in the center of the circular base plate 23. Fig. '7A indicates the location of six pin pointed screws 26a which project downward securing the centering device to the plane table. To further aid in centering the device over a selected point two cross wires 2Gb are provided.

Attached to circular base plate 23 are two spirit levels 21 disposed horizontally `at right angles to each other to aid in leveling the plane table. A glass covered case 28 containing a compass needle 29, is provided for determining magnetic directions. Secured beneath the instrument is another spirit level 3| for use in leveling the instrument. All spirit levels are supported on studs provided with leveling nuts 30. A counter balance weight 32 is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2 to assist in balancing the instrument about its horizontal axis. A circular opening 33 The above mentioned Shanks of enlaces is provided in the casing of the instrument for access to interior adjustments.

As indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. the instrument is provided with stationary vertical and horizontal cross-hairs 40a and 42a supported by two rings 40 and 42 which are held in place and adjusted by screws 4l and 43.

Levers Designed to move in approximately the same plane with the fixed cross-hairs, are two movable of levers 48 and 50 respectively. Lever 48 is,

attached to ring 49 and rocks on pin I3. Lever 50 attached to ring 5| rocks on pin I4. Both levers are provided with iianges defining straight edges 48a and 53a as indicated in Fig. 2 by dash dot lines and short dash lines respectively. Straight edgey 48a when parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument is .375" above the axis and straight edge 50a is .375" below -the axis. Straight edge l48a is pulled downward by the force of gravity while straight edge 50a is forced upward because of the force of 'gravity upon counter weight 52 attached to the opposite end of lever 50 by set screw 39.

Straight edge 48a is brought to rest tangent to the top surface of eccentric roller 54 whose radius is .375" and is pivoted .075" below the axis of cylinder 1 on la bearing surface 53a described below. Similarly straight edge 58a comes to rest tangent to the bottom surface of roller 56 which is pivoted .075 above the axis of cylinder 1 as shown in section in Figure 3. (It is to be noted' that the dimensions given above are not fixed but might vary with other conditions such as the focal length of instrument or position of horizontal axis with respect to the stadia hairs, etc.) Referring to isometric view Fig. 5, stub shafts 53 each having an eccentric circular enlargement 53a between its ends, have their ends resting rotatably in rectangular slide blocks 53o (indicated by dotted lines).1 Two grooves milled in channels 57 attached to the outer casing (i) and two grooves milled in projections provided on the sides of cylinder 6, all shown in Figure 3, but omitted in Figure 1, form guides for slides 53e. Shaft 53`is provided with one concentric square shoulder 53h which fits in an opening provided in bracket 58. Adjacent to the square shoulder is the above mentioned enlargement 53a which is eccentric by .075 in a direction parallely to one side of the square shoulder 53h.

The action of this device is as follows: When bracket 58 is maintained at right angles to the visual axis of the instrument and moved away from or toward the above-defined horizontal axis of the instrument, the straight edges 48a and 50a of levers 48 and 50 move apart-or together respectively while the opposite ends oi' the levers to which brackets 44 and 46 are attached, move proportionally in an opposite direction. If bracket 58 is at an angle other than right angles to the visual axis of the instrument, as would be the case if the instrument were pointed above or below the horizon, then the eccentrics 53a' will cause roller 54 to be moved upward while roller` 55 will be moved downward. .',Ihis action will cause levers 48 and 5U to follow and thus bring the movable stadia hairscloser together. It will be noted also that the eccentrics 53a also advance or retard rollers 54 and 56 with reference to the horizontal axis of the instrument depending on whether the instrument is pointed above or below the horizon.' Forl example, if the-instru-y ment is pointed upward 'at an angle of 30 degrees, then the visual axis of the instrument' will make an angle of 60 degrees with the stadia rod, and bracket 58 will make an angle'of 60 degrees with the visual axis of the instrument. Thus relative to the distance between points on the visual axis at the rod and at the crosshairs, the distance from stadia hair 46a to the top target of the rod will'be lengthened and the distance from stadia hair 44a to the bottom target on the rod will be shortened. Likewise one of the eccentrics 53a will move roller 54 through an arc oi' degrees toward the visual axis of the instrument. This shortens the leverage to correspond to the shortened distance to the lower target'on the stadia rod. Roller 56 which operates stadia hair 46a will similarly be advanced.

Daarammatic explanation illustrated an instrumenthaving its object lens at (O), stadia hairs at (a'') and (b2) horizontal,A

axis at (P), pivot for levers at (p) with the center of the stadia rod at (C). The center corresponding to stub shaft 53 is at (c). The upper target onthe stadia rod is indicated by (A), the lower by (B), eccentric center of roller 58 by (a) and eccentric center of roller 54 by (b). Line (c1-C) represents the visual axis of the instrument, lines (a2-a) and (b2-b) represent levers 50 and 4I respectively and (b2-B) and (a2-A) represent the lines of sight through the instrument. If the distance between the targets (A-B) and the distance between the eccentric centers (tt-b) be known, the relationship of may be determined. By similar triangles (OAB) is similar to (Oa2b2) and (pazb) will be similar to (pab), therefore the distance (fi-B) (aL-b2) and since all the distances on the right hand side of the equation are known any distance (z2-c) willhave a fixed relation to (O-C) the distance (OL-c1), (p-cl) and (a-b) are fixed by the design of the instrument but (AB) may be varied to change the scale of map as desired. This formula is as follows:

(A-B) in inches for any sca1e= The instrument indicated (Figs. 1 and 2) being designed with dimensions as (p-cl) 2", (ab) =.15" and (O-c1)=12". Using the formula above and substituting: the distance between the4 targets on the stadia rod for a scale of map 1 position of the stadia hairs a3 and b3.

To represent the condition when the instrument is pointed at an angle Fig. 8 will again be referred to and the line denoted by (A1-B1) representing the stadia rod will be. shown turned 30 degrees about vC and the line (a1-b1) representing the However, if it is deemedv described heretofore.v The stadia case being positioned perpendicular to a plane through the above d ened horizontal axis and parallel to the visual axis of the instrument, will,

for. purposes of brevity, be called vertical stadia f hairs though this is-only strictly true when the instrument is level.A With vertical movable hairs it becomes necessary to use a horizontal cross head on the stadia rod to carry the targets which must be held perpendicular to the line of A sight in order to obtain correct readings, or a face is a center segment of a sphere.

advisable to eliminate this small error, which is d only discernable when using the instrument for steep angles, xed compensating cams may be substituted for the rollers 54 and 56.

` First modification Referring to Fig. 9, a modified arrangement of levers is illustrated wherein the instrument is designed with its horizontal axis nearer the eye piece of the instrument and the movable stadia hairs are attached to the levers on the same side of the horizontal axis as the straight edges of the levers. Because of this it becomes necessary to reverse the movement of the eccen trios when viewing an object above. or below the horizontal in order to shorten the lever which operates the stadia hair which is in the shortened Iline of sight with the target. Fig. 9, being lettered to correspond to Fi'g. 8operates in a similar manner and will be understandable to one versed in the art without repetition of the explanation made for Fig. 8.

Figs. 13 and 14, indicate a preferred method of reversing the eccentrics by the use of levers wherein lever ||2 is pivoted at one end to pin Illa, attached to one side of bracket II which corresponds to bracket 58 of the preferred form described above. The other end of lever ||2 is pivoted to a pin I|4a attached to a slide I'I4 that moves in the same groove with rectangular slide I I 6 which carries one end of stub shaft I I1. The lever I I3, also pivoted to the same pin II4a, has its other end pivoted to pin I |5a attached to an arm ||5 which is attached to stub shaft ||1. Stub shaft ||1 is provided with an integral eccentric ||1a which carries roller ||8Vand with ya concentric circular portion ||1b which bears in bracket I I I. Thus for example, when the instrument is pointed upward through an angle of 30 degrees, bracket III will make an angle of 30 degrees with the visual axis of the instrument as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 13, and

Vsince slide ||4 is held in a groove provided by bars IISa and ||9b, arm ||5 attached to the eccentric will be turned through an angle of 30 degrees to the visual axis of this instrument but in an opposite direction. T he lever shown in section in Fig. 14 carries bracket |2| which carries movable stadia hair |2|a, the other parts of the Fig. 14 are similar to those indicated in Fig. 3 and are fully described/above.

Second modification Referring to Figs. 10, 11, and 12, another modified arrangement of parts is indicated whereinV the levers which operate a pair of movable stadia hairs, are positioned under the optical portion of the instrument instead of 0n either side as horizontal cross-hair |32b and one fixed vertical circular cross head such as a band with a diameter equal to the calculated xed stadia intercept distance as illustrated in Fig. 15 where staff |22 supports circular band |23 vwhose sur- Though indicated as a horizontal head (Fig. 15), the circular band |23 may be turned vertically to eliminate the need for correcting for foreshortenlng when this stadia is used with an instrument employing horizontal movable stadia hairs.

This type of instrument with vertical stadia Ihairs is somewhat simpler than one with movable horizontal stadia hairs in that no correction for foreshortening is required and for hydrographie purposes the circular horizontal type of stadia would have special advantages. horizontal stadia located directly above the sounding apparatus on board a boat, the direction of the boat and tilt would have little effect on a reading from a shore station. Y

Fig. 10 shows an instrument composed of an outer casing |24 containing a fixed cylinder |25, and a movable cylinder |26 which carries the object lens (not shown). There is also Provided an interior concentric cylinder |21, one xed cross-hair |3'2a attached to ring |32. The outer casing is stifened with a U-shaped strip 128. The brackets |30 and |3| which carry vertical movable stadia hairs |30a and |3Ia are attached to levers |34 and |33 respectively which are pivoted about pin |4| (Fig. 12). Two angular base cover plates |29a and |291) are each provided with a projecting flange and are attached to the outer casing by screws |24a. The space between the angular base plates is made dustproof by two strips of plush fabric |29. The projecting ilanges provide a guide for an H- shaped bracket |31 which carries two rollers |35 and |36 which are free to turn on pins |35a and |36a.

Levers |33 and |34 are provided with two downward projecting straight flanges which when parallel are spaced with their outer surfaces a distance which is exceeded slightly by the space between the tangent-surfaces of rollers |35 and |36. Springs |40a and |4022 tend to force the flanges of levers |33 and |34 against rollers |35 and |36. Thus it can be seen that when the said rollers are brought nearer to the horizontal axis of the instrument, theyallow the levers to spread apart. This separates the movable stadia hairs I30a and |3|a attached to the opposite ends of the levers. When the rollers are moved away from the horizontal axis, the opposite is true.

The center of the H-shaped bracket |31 which carries the rollers is provided with a central circular section which is concentric with a line parallel to the horizontal axis of the instrument. This circular section is loosely clamped by-/two bars |38 lwhich slide between the fabric strips |29 and are attached by screw |39a to the center cylinder |39 of an altitude measuring device, to

'hairs'.in this With a circular `attacco be described later, which is/similar to corresponding cylinder 6 0 (Fig. 3). v

The pins which form the horizontal axis of the instrument are identical in all important respectsfwith parts I3 and I4 (Fig. 1) previously described.

Both the "first modification and the second modification would be provided with similar base plates; supports, spirit levels, altitude measuring device, etc., described heretofore and hereinafter, as belonging to the preferred form as illustrated (Figs. 1 2, and 3).

lIt is to be noted that although the forms of the invention described herein use two movable stadia hairs each, they will operate with one decimal division of those scales such as 1:2000,

fixed and one movable hair and whereas only one lever is illustrated to move each movable stadia sible because the number of teeth in each concen. tric ring is divisible by two thus providing two hair, a pair of levers workingin parallel may also be used.

Elevation measuring device The elevation measuring device (Figa/"1, 2 and 3) is similar to a telescopic screw jack with three concentric inside threaded cylinders 6I, 62, and 63 and an inner cylindrical core 60 which supports bracket 68 attached by screw 69and an outer supporting cylinder 65 which is part of base 66a 'which forms the outer casing of the printing device. The base 65a is provided with four free rollers 2lb which bear on track 24 (Flgs. 2 and 18). The upper rim of cylinder 65 is pro-l vided with a depression which carries ball bearings 64 which support the outer of the turnable cylinders 63. Cylinder 63 is provided with a hand grip 63a and the inner threaded surface supports telescopic threaded cylinders '6I 'and 62 which are provided 'withsthreads only at the lower portions of their outer surfaces. The upper inner portion of each cylinder is provided with a shoulder which will st'op the upper oi the threads mentioned above and prohibit the cylinders from becoming disengaged. Cylinder 6| is provided with a projecting rim Gla which prohibits cylinder 6I from dropping below the bottom of cylinder 62 where it could become disengaged. Into the base of cylinder 63 is screwed a circular plate 66 which is deformed on its under surface (Eigs. 16 and 16a) -to form a crown gear with nine concentric rings of teeth and a center bevel gear.

For each ring of teeth there is a corresponding position for a pinion gear 61 which is keyed to shaft 68 for sliding adjustments as explained below. It. is desirable to provide an arrange- 1:3000, 1:4000, etc., for either the English or metric systems.

The teeth o? plate 66 are arranged so that in two positions he teeth are in line. This is pospoints on the circumference of the plate 66 where the gear 61 may be shifted with ease. Two marks 66h (Fig. 2) on the outer cylinder 66 with corre sponding index 63h on the hand grips 63a indi-l cate .to the operator the position of these two ment by which the indication of elevation printed by the printing device will correspond `with the scale that is used in preparing the map. The observerfwill normally select a convenient scale, relating actual distance to distances plotted on the map. This will be used for horizontal distances on the map. Having selected such a scale, he will select the proper gear ratio as indicated below, to correspond with the horizontalv scale that he is utilizing, so that the numbers printed will be the proper numbers corresponding to the altitude of objects whose horizontal distance is indicated on the same map. The gears will providey convenient integral multiples, corresponding to the usual mapping sca-les. A 12 toothed gear 69 secured to shaft 68 is geared directly to sliding gear 12 keyed to shaft 13, which has its bearings in an opening 15 provided in base a and bracket 14. The number of teeth selected for the concentric crown gears 66 (Fig.

16A) provides correct indicated elevations to correspond to a wide selection of the scales used in mapping. With the cylinders 6l, 62 and '63 points. Gear 61 `is shifted as described below by turning of dial 62 (Fiss. 2\and 3) which is calibrated into eleven positions corresponding to the ten selectable gear ratios and neutral which occurs when gear 61.is slid to the left past the edge of plate 66.

Dial 62 is attached to shaft 63 (Fig. 3) which carries pinion gear 64 which is geared to rack 86. Rack I6 in turnisprovided ,with a fork 85e which lits loosely into a groove provided on gear 61. Thus any movement of dial 62 is transferred to slide gear 61 on shaft 68. In order to holdfgear 61 at any selected position, a small roller 86l is attached to rack 86 by a piece of bent spring steel wire 81 which is passed through the rack 85 at 66h and back again at 66a The opposite end is bent through the roller 88 to form its axle. Tension in the wire 81 holds the roller 86 against a row of notches 66a provided in base cover plate" 66 thus securing the rack 85 in any position selected.

Means is also provided for reversing the altitude measuring device in order to indicate values o f elevation Ibelow the datum plane. For example, the recording mechanism should be reversed if the instrument is to be used for registering direct readings on a map taken from a rod used 'in'shallow hydrographie soundings. For this purpose thick idler gear 10a (Figs. 16 and 18) is caused to slide on shaft 10 to a position where it meshes with gear 66 on shaft 68. At'the same time,r gears 69 and 12 are unmeshed and gear 10a is brought into mesh with gear 12. -This shifting of gears is produced .by the movement of arm 1I attached to shaft' 1la (Fig. 18) which in' turn carries two arms 1lb and 'Ilcwhich are of different lengths. Arm 1lbv carries a pivoted fork which brackets gear-10a while arm 1|c carries a pivoted fork which brackets gear 12. Fig. 16 indicates the gear 10a idle; however, if the lever 1I (1iig.`18) be pulled toward the spectator thick gear 10a will be required to move a distance partly past gear 69. The shorter lever 1Ic will only move gear 12 far enough to disengage it from gear 69 but gear 10a will also overtake gear 12 and become engaged with it. This sets up a train of "gears which will reverse the normal direction of shaft 13.

Counting mechanism The main drive shaft 13 drives the counting mechanism through a flexible coiled spring 16 which serves three purposes. First the spring 1I serves as a universal Joint allowing the count-l ing device to remain connected while moving in a vertical plane; second the spring 1B acts as a compression spring holding shaft 11 (Fig. 20) engaged with primary counting wheel 18; third, spring 18 acts to take `up the torque in either direction which may be caused by the fractions discarding device described below. This centering device illustrated in detail in Fig. 24 is dcsigned to use the movement of depressing the printing dial to discard fractions. Thisdevice will add or subtract the fraction, depending whether it is more or less than one half and provides in addition a novel means for handling Vexact one half fractions to eliminate dead centering of the mechanism. The mechanism is `arranged with a 10 pointed star gear 18a which, during the printing process, is pressed over a pointed projection of lever 80 thereby causing the star gear 18a to be turned in one direction or the other unless the notch between the teeth of the star gear is already centered over the point of lever 80. Should a point of the star gear 18a fall dead center on point of lever 80, then the lever will rotate against tension spring 80o about pivot 80a integrally cast as a portion of the base of the elevation measuring device 65a thereby moving point of lever 80 in an arc which will rotate star gear 18a through an arc of l/qo of a circle to center the printing device for printing. i

Referring to Figs. 20 and 23, the counting mechanism is a type commonly used in automobile speedometers where the tens carrying device is inclosed by the dial 18e. The Geneva movement consists of a two toothed gear 18d and a rim.with a single depression 18e, attached to dial 18c, which turns intermittently a six toothed idler gear 19 which is carried yby a thin metal frame 19a keyed to the fixed hollow shaft 94. The portion of gear 19 which fits over rim 18e has every other tooth removed thereby locking gear 19 until the depression on rim 18e is in position to allow it to turn through 1/3 revolution being impelled by the two toothed gear 18d. The 1A; revolution of gear 19 drives a 20 toothed gear 95a attached to the next higher order through 116 revolution for each revolution of the lower order. Successive dials are similarly equipped to carry the tens to the next higher order.

VThe exposed rim of all dials is divided into 20 parts with every other part raised and provided with a small type face 18j numbered 0 to 9 inclusive. The depressed spaces 18g between the type faces are provided with plastic strips which'are numbered with larger numerals corresponding to the type face three places in advance. Thus by looking through the magnifying glass 65e built into the base of the elevation measuring device, (Fig. 2), the numbers on the plastic strip attached to the dials indicate the numerals which are in position to be printed. The outer rim as well as the type face of each dial is to be formed of a porous metal such as is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,199,265, issued April 30, i940, to Carl N. Lohrey, which will carry ink for printing. In normal position each type face runs against an absorbent felt inking spool |02 four of which are provided on shaft |00a (Figs. 3 and 24A) In order to set the counting mechanism, thumb turn 96 attached to shaft 96a, which turns in tube 91, is pressed inward moving tube 91 with it. An arm 91a attached to tube 91 presses on the end of shaft 11 against spring 16 to disengage the teeth 11a (Fig. 20) of shaft 11 from similar teeth provided to receive them cast in part 18. At the 14 same time, pressing in on shafta engages gear 98h with a 10 toothed gear 18|also castas part4 of casting 18 allowing the numbering device to .be regulated by thumb turn 9B.

In order to print the figures on the counting device a button 98 is depressed. Button 98 is attached to bar 98a which is provided with a rack on both edges (Fig. 17). The bottom of bar 98a is provided with a notch into which is fitted a strand offwire continuous with `and/joining ten-` sion springs 03a and |0317. These springs support the type printing dials" until button 98 is pressed. The racks on the edges of bar 98a are geared to two segmental pinions 99a and 99h which are keyed to shafts |00a and |00b. To each of the shafts 00a and |0017 are keyed two segmental pinions |0411. and l04b (Fig. 3) of approximately 1/2 the radius of pinions 99a and 99h. Pinions I Ma and |0lb are geared to the racks on the edges of two castings |0|a and |0|b (Figs. 19, 20, and 21) which form the bearings for the fixed hollow shaft 94 and shaft 11 through-casting 1li.l

dials are pressed against the surface of the map with a pressure equal to approximately twicethat placed on the button because of the gear ratio described above. To guide the vbearings IUIb and |0Ia vertically, notches are -provided in them which flt over two lugs |05c attached to brace |05 and .portion of arms b respectively.

Consecutive numbering means Ifo print consecutive numbers on the map instead of elevations a downward pending portion of spring 8| (Figs. 24 and 24A) is placed in position to advance .the numbering device 116 turn by acting against a point of the 10 po-inted star gear 18a when the `printing devicerises in returning to its normal positionV after printing. The spring 8| is Ibent around shaft |0011. in such a manner that two shoulders formed on it exert an outward pressure against cover strip 8|a through which the handle end 8|b of spring 8| passes, and which moves laterally with it. Strip 8|a is provided on either end with bent protrusions which t into depressions provided on the inner surface of base 65a, to hold the spring 8| in either of the positions indicated by the dotted or solid lines (Fig. 24A). When printing consecutive numbers, gear 61 (Fig. 16) is shifted intol neutral position beyond the edge of multiple crown gear 66, as previously described.

Means are also provided to initiate an electrical impulse for each act of printing by arranging lug 98h (Fig. 17) on bar 98a to close contact between electrical contacts |05a and |051) (Figs. 16 and 21) when button 98 is depressed for printing.

The purpose of printing consecutive number and initiating electrical impulses is for use of the instrument in plotting from a shore station the location of a boat making hydrographie soundings as heretofore mentioned.

Locking levers To lock the elevating device at any fixed elevation, as would be required in taking contour shots at the stadia rod (regardless of the relation between the elevation of the contour and the instrument), there is provided a lever |06 (Fig, 16) which is attached to screw |06a which is threaded into the casing 65a. The opposite end of screw |06a is tted with a block |01 of suitable brake lining material which is clamped tightly to cylinder 63 upon turning lever |06 to the right.

To lock the recording device to track 24, as

,opening in plate |08 (Fig. 17) to which is secured (by two screws ||a) a suitable brake 1ining material I i0 which is clamped against track 24 upon turning lever |08 to the left.l

Miscellaneous Means are provided to make lineal corrections i'or any scale of map selected. Thumb turn 89 (Figs. 2 and 16)( attached to screw 89a is threaded being plotted is unchanged.

through and moves part 90 in-a line parallel to .l

the instrument. Part 90 is provided with an index 90a which is readable through glass 65C on a suitable scale 65e attached to the casing 05a of the registering mechanism. Part 90 is formed into two rectangular bars 90b which are bent up" at 90e (Fig. 20) to embrace a circular portion of a notch provided in a segmental printing wheel 9| (Fig. 22) which is free to slide on a hollow shaft 94. Thus any turn given to thum'b turn 89 is'transmitted to the segmental printing wheel 9| to move it longitudinally with the instrument.

Segmental printing wheel 9| is provided with raised type forming three symbols, a square, a circle and a triangle which serve as reference points for the printed elevations.

The printing wheei 9| is" made of a. suitable porous metal to absorb and transmit the ink and is also provided with a cup Sla, (viewed in dotted lines in Fig. 22), which will contain a wick for ,i

holding ink. The proper symbol for the point be.

i ing viewed is selectable by pressing on a bar 92 which carries downwardpending-arms 92h to em-` brace the sides of printing wheel 9| to rock it on hollow shaft 94 as indicated by the dotted lines (Fig. 22). Thebar 92, which projects from either side of the base of the instrument, is provided with three notches 92a which receive the curled end of spring 93 (Fig. 22), which isq attached by screw 93a to the interior of the casing of the recording device 65a to form a friction catch which secures bar 92 at the selected position.

Correction "f+ c To correct the scaled distances being plotted for error due to the change of focus of the instrument and location of the object lenswith respect to the vertical axis of the instrument, a constant value known as f-l-c (by one familiar with the art) in which F represents the focal length of the objective and C represents the distance between the vertical axis of the instrument and the objective, must be added to the scaled distance or otherwise be compensated for. The significance of this quantity, long familiar to those in the civil engineering art, is fully explained and indicated. for instance in Merriam American Civil Engineers Handbook,4th edition, page 90. This value, though constant, to be plotted, must vary according to the scale of the map and when taking shots other than horizontal, should be transposed into horizontal and vertical components and added both to the horizontal scaled measurement and the elevation.

i the instrument through the centers of slotted rings |3a and Ma with respect to the pins Il and l! lwhich form a pivot for levers 48 andv'l, a distance equal to the scaled value 'of f--c" and by making this oiiset` in a linewith the visual axis of the A,instrument as indicated by the distancey P--p (Figs. 8 and 9), the correction for l-'i-c is automatically compensated for. both horizontally and vertically and need notenter the mind of the operator again so long as the scale of the map syst-em about said horizontal axis to apply a. correction factor to the indicated position of the said stadia wire, and means to indicate the position of the'said stadia wire corrected for the angle of the optical observing system.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, anr optical observing system mountediupon a standard and rotatable about a horizontal `axis relative to the said standard movable indicia within the said optical system, a longitudinal track extending from the said standard, auxiliary supporting means movable along the said longitudinally extending track and partially supporting the said observing system, means to raise and lower the said supporting means, means to measure the extent of raising and lowering of said auxiliary supporting means, and means carried by said auxiliary supporting means cooperating with said indicia to control the position thereof.

3. In an apparatus of the type described, an observing telescope, movable stadia hairs in th'e leld of View of the telescope, a supporting standard Afor the said telescope, a longitudinal track extending therefrom, an auxiliary supporting member mounted on the track and adapted to move longitudinally thereon, means upon the said auxiliary member to control the position of the stadia hairs, and additional means to modify the position of the stadia hairs in response to the regular angular displacement about a hori- 'zontal axis of the said observing telescope.

4. In an apparatus of the .class described, a telescope having a movable index therein, a supporting member therefor, an auxiliary supporting member located at a diierent point along the axis of the said telescope, the said auxiliary member 5. In an apparatusi of the type described, an

observing telescope, a pair` of levers having longitudinal bearing portions, the said levers being pivotally mounted proximate to the said telescope, a pair of indices at one of the termini of each of the said levers, a pair of guide members lbearing upon the said bearing portions of the said levers, the said guide members being adapted to move longitudinally along the said levers, means responsive to the angular displacement of the said telescope relative to a datum plane, to shift said guide members transversely of said levers in response to the said angular displacement, and means responsive to the position of the said guide' 17 members and the correcting means for indicating the elevation of and distance to a. target observed through the said telescope.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, an

' observing optical system rotatable about a horiber to an indicator, the said gear system having a selector gear capable of meshing with any of a plurality of gears within the said gear system, each one of the said plurality of gears corresponding to a predetermined scale value for motion of the said optical system, the movement effected by the rotatable member being correlated I in magnitude with the respective gear ratios in the gear train so as to operate an indicator coupled to the gear train in predetermined ratio, whereby the moyement of the said optical system by the said rotatable means may be indicated directly to scale.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, an optical observing system, means to adjust the said observing system in conformity with the altitude of an external object, meansoperable by said adjusting means to indicate the altitude of the object to which the optical system has been adjusted, the said adjusting means and indicator being interconnected by means of a' gear train, and means to reverse the motion of the indicating means relative to the adjusting means as compared with the usual mode of operation thereof to indicate negative elevation directly.

8. In a recording apparatus in which an indicating dial is provided adapted to` be set only to definite predetermined angles about its axis of rotation, and which is to indicate the position of a shaft which is capable of being set to any angle about its axis of rotation, a common supporting structure holding the said dial and the said shaft with their axes in substantially parallel relation to one another, said supporting structure comprising means to support the shaft in rotatable Y relation about its axis and additional means holding the dial and movable over a limited rangeY relative to the said shaft in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the said shaft, a coil spring being mounted axial with said shaft and attached to both said shaft and said dial and constituting the sole coupling for angular rotation between the said shaft and dial, such spring being adapted to transmit the angular motion of the said shaft t0 said dial, but being' suiciently' 'i8 shaft and indicating means and adapted to trans'- mit the rotational motion `of the said shaft to the said -indicating means, the indicating means including a member movable relative to and sub-' and a movable member, the star wheel being mounted substantially coaxially with the said dial and rigidly connected therewith, avprojection mounted upon the movable member, said member being movable relative to the said support, the projection co-acting with the gaps of the star wheel so as to cause motion thereof, means to move the star wheel bodily laterally relative t0 the projection so as to be in engagement therewith and rotated thereby to one of a set of justified positions predetermined by the gaps of said star wheel the said member being pivoted upon said support at a point displaced laterally from the center of rotation of the indicating dial and having limited rotational motion thereabout, whereby when the projection engages with onejof the points of the star wheel, it will have a limited displacement with a tangential component relative to said star wheel, so as to enter a gap between adjacent points of the star wheel.

11. In a justifying mechanism for moving a dial to one of a number of predetermined positions, a dial, a toothed wheel aflixed thereto, and a member to engage with the toothed wheelVall mounted upon a frame, the toothed Wheel and dial being rigidly connected to one another and rotatable relative to said frame, the toothed wheel having apices and gaps therebetween, the member having a complementary portion, the frame holding the member and wheel in operative relation to one another, means to move the said wheel bodily laterally relative to said member so as to cause insertion of said apex in the spacing between the teeth to justify the said dial, the member being pivoted upon the frame about a center laterally displaced from the center of the wheel, further having limiting means to limit the rotation of the member .about said center whereby the said member Will move substantially tangentially of the said wheel, so that in cases in which the apex of the member mates with the apex of a tooth, the said member will move the said limited amount tangentially and justify the dial, whereby the justifying operation will take place, regardless of the point along the circumference of the said toothed wheel at which contact is made with the said lever.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, a base, an observing telescope journaled on the '-base'to pivot about a horizontal axis, a pair of levers pivoted intermediate their ends proximate to the telescope having longitudinal bearing portions, indices supported on one of the termini of each of the said levers, the said indices being v within the telescope, an auxiliary support c 11- prising elevating means for said telescope and ycarrying rollers bearing upon the said bearing portions of said levers, said base having guiding 19 means to guide the s'aid support along a, horizontal `path at right angles to said horizontal axis, means carried by the said support responsive to and in accordance with the angular displacement of the said telescope relative to the support about the said horizontal axis to shift the position of the axes of said rollers relative to their support and means controlled by said elevating `means for indicating elevation of a target observed through the telescope, whereby the indicated elevation will be corrected for the angular displacement of the saidtelescope relative to the support.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, a support, an optical observing system supported thereby having a field of view and an optical axis, the said system having a horizontal transverse axis, about which the optical system is journaled to rotate, an objective spaced from the said horizontal axis, an index within the eld of v iew in the said system adjustable laterally in relation to the optical axis so that its position may be modified in relation to the apparent dimensions. of the image of a distant object seen in the optical system, adjusting means to move said index and operate indicating means in respouse to the said movement to indicate to scale `directly the elevation of said distant object, and means for securing translation of the optical system relative to said support and associated with the said indicating 4means to' apply automatically ,to the indicated elevationa correction for the focal length of the objective and the distance between the horizontal axis and the objective.

14. In an instrument of the class described, an

assembly having a base with a plane under surlinked to said printing means whereby the said' printing means will designate a value determined at least in part by the position of the said ducial element, said printing means being supported above the said supporting surface and movable relative thereto and into engagement therewith to print thereon indicia indicative at least in part of position of said fiducial element within the said optical system.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, a base supporting an optical system having an optical axis to sight upon a distant object, a fiducial element within the optical system and viewed thereby movable in relation to the said optical axis in conformity with the apparent position of the said distant object as seen within the optical system, said base being adapted to rest upon a plane horizontal supporting surface capable of receiving indicia thereon, a guiding member extending from said base, printing means, a series of printing wheels forming part of said printing means, the said printing means being movable as a body upon and guided by the said guiding member, the position of the said printing wheels being mechanically related to the position of the said ilduclal element. the said printing means being mounted above the said supporting surface,

20 I and manually operated means to move the printing wheels into contact with the supporting surface wherebythe said wheels will print upon the said surface, indicia in the form ofprinted numerical values dependent upon therelation of the said element to the optical axis.

16. In an apparatus of the class' described, a horizontal plane supporting member'capable of receiving indicia thereon, an optical observing instrument readily removably placed upon the said supporting member to sight upon a distant object.'

means to adjust the position of a'flducial element within the said optical system and viewed thereby relative to the axis of the said' optical instrument in conformity with the apparent position' of thedistant object as viewed by said opticalsystem, printing means linked mechanically to the adjusting means and indicia .forming part of said printing means set in conformity with the extent of adjustment of the said fiducial element, the said printing system being mounted above the supporting surface. and vertically movable in relation thereto upon manual operationA thereof to print' upon the said surface indicia indicativeof the extent of adjustment of the said element. j

17. In anoptical system for determining the altitude of a distantobject, a plane horizontal supporting surface capable of receiving printed indicia thereon, a base supporting an optical system having an -optical axis, a flducial element within the said system movable relative to said base in conformity with the altitude of and into apparent coincidence with a distant object sighted upon by the said optical system, means to move the ilducial element relative to said base, a printing system, indicia forming part of said printing system, means simultaneously operable and mechanically linked with the said moving means and printing system to alter the indicia within the printing system in relation to the position of the said ducial element and therefore to the altitude of the distant object, and manually operated means to operate the printing system to print upon the supporting surface indicia as altered by said altering means whereby there will be printed on said surface indicia indicative of the altitude observed by the said optical system.

18. An alid'ade of the plane table type having a at under surface adapted to be removably placed upon a ilat horizontal supporting surface, the said surface being adapted to'hold a map to be made from the observations of the said alidade, an optical observing system, means for adjusting a sighting element in the said optical system in response to the apparent position of an external Aobject sighted upon by said optical system, a printing mechanism, indicia forming pari; of said printing mechanism, means simultaneously and automatically operable by said adjusting means to modify said indicia within the printing mechanism in accordance with the degree of adjustment at said adjusting means and means to opery ate said printing means to print said indicia directly upon the map on the said supporting surface.

DONALD H. DRAYER.

Number (Other references on following page) Number Name Date Number Mayson Janf26. 1992 2,079,957 Armstrong Sept. 6, 1904 2,111,516 Laska July 10, 1906 2,153,215 Bump Jan. 8, '1907 5 2,199,265 Waugh Apr. 7, 1908 2,239,460 Tekyl et al. Nov. 3, 1908 2.253.721 Von Nagy Apr. 13, 1909 2,257,233 McCormick Dec. 31, 1912 2,278,203 Viardot Apr. 25, 1916 l" 2,349,506 Thompson Oct. 17, 1922 Roux Oct. 17, [1922 Brush Aug. 16, 1927 Number Gendron May 29, 1930 23,968 Gaynor Aug. 25, 41931 15 353,637 Szabo Oct. 6, 1931 384,705 Bryce Feb. 7, 1933 Germany Nov. 5, 1923 

